A new international scholarship announced this week in Chengdu, China, will help grow Hamilton’s international education sector, by encouraging more Chinese students to study in the city.
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate announced the Hamilton–Chengdu Cultural Exchange Travel Scholarship, a joint initiative between Hamilton City Council and Wintec, at the 3rd New Zealand–China Mayoral Forum, on the 10th anniversary of the Hamilton–Chengdu sister city partnership. The Hamilton delegation also includes Economic Development Committee Chair, Councillor Ewan Wilson, Finance Committee Chair, Councillor Maxine van Oosten, and Hamilton City Council Chief Executive, Lance Vervoort.
The scholarship will support five students from Chengdu to travel to Hamilton Kirikiriroa to study at Wintec, fostering deeper cultural exchange and people-to-people connections between the sister cities.
“This exciting scholarship is a wonderful opportunity for Chengdu students, reflecting our long-standing friendship and our joint commitment to educational and cultural exchange, said Mayor Southgate. “Academic partnerships like this are truly a win-win – culturally, socially, and economically. Hamilton is positioning itself as a destination of choice for international students.”
International students are a significant contributor to Hamilton’s economy. Over 800 Chinese students are currently enrolled at University of Waikato campuses, 673 are studying offshore, and 148 Chinese students are studying at Wintec – many through its longstanding relationship with Chengdu University. This year Wintec is on track to achieve 30% growth in international student numbers.
“Growing international education is a key part of our economic development strategy,” said Councillor Ewan Wilson. “The numbers speak for themselves. Every international student who comes to Hamilton pays between $25,000 and $50,000 in tuition annually, on top of their living expenses. This in turn strengthens our education sector and supports the wider local economy.”
“We have been building partnerships in the Sichuan Province and welcoming students from there since 2008. Chengdu University was our founding partner and we value our special relationship with them,” said Wintec Operations Lead, Warwick Pitts.
“We are excited to welcome more aakonga (students) from Chengdu University,” said Pitts. “We know they will gain valuable exposure to Hamilton’s educational and cultural landscape, and also contribute to a deeper, people-to-people connection that strengthens our international ties.”
During the visit, the delegation also toured Chengdu University’s Arts and Design Academy, highlighting potential for further collaboration between Chengdu and Hamilton’s tertiary institutions.
“I was incredibly impressed by the talent and innovation on display,” Mayor Southgate said. “It shows just how much we can gain by working together, and the fabulous synergies and mutual opportunities that a closer partnership could unlock.”
China remains New Zealand’s largest trading partner, with two-way trade surpassing NZ$38 billion in 2024. At a city level, the decade-long relationship between Hamilton and Chengdu continues to evolve, through mutually beneficial interests in trade, education, and culture.
“This anniversary visit has been a fantastic opportunity to reaffirm our special sister-city relationship with Chengdu and explore exciting new areas of cooperation - promoting Hamilton and the wider Waikato region to business leaders, education providers and cultural partners in China,” said Mayor Southgate.
To celebrate a decade of friendship and begin a new chapter, the cities also exchanged symbolic gifts. Chengdu’s gift is a traditional ceramic walking panda, featuring a design which reflects the flora and fauna of Chengdu and Hamilton Kirikiriroa. Our gift is a puutataara (conch shell instrument), featuring a dragon’s head; a symbol of significance to China and to Hamilton, as a representation of the many taniwha (dragons) of the Waikato river.